MAPUSA: Tuff Laxmi Prasad Sports Club and Vasco Sports Club played out a goalless draw in a round two fixture of the Goa Pro League, at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
The teams had equal number of chances but lacked finishing upfront. Tuff Laxmi dominated the first session while the young Vasco SC team bounced back in the second session as they defended bravely to secure a vital point.
A minutes silence was observed for the soul of former Chief Minister of GOA Dr Wilfred D’Souza, who passed away on Friday morning.
Tuff Laxmi started impressively with Nicholas Rodrigues and Ndubuisi Opara coming close to scoring through a free-kick and long ranger respectively.
After enjoying a brief spell of superior ball possession, Tuff Laxmi had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring at the half hour mark when medio Anthony Barboza sent in a perfect low cross to Opara but the Nigerian striker ballooned over.
Subsequently, the teams decided to replace each of their U-20 players.
Vasco SC introduced Aghin Ashokan in place of John Fernandes while their opponents put Agnelo Colaco in the striking position as Veegan Ferrao was sacrificed.
In the second session, Vasco SC tried hard to crawl back into the match as they looked dangerous moving forward.
In a swift counter-attack, Vasco SC’s Nasar set up Chinedu Ejiogu but the Vasco SC skipper lacked finishing.
Minutes after the hour mark, Chinedu had two good chances but his fierce long ranger was blocked by rival keeper Kunal Sawant and then, the striker shot over the horizontal bar from an ideal position.
With just four minutes to go for the final whistle, Opara could have broken the deadlock but instead headed over from hand-shaking distance after a goal mouth melee off a Nicholas flag kick.
At the other end, Jayson Velho’s promising half volley missed the target while Jerose Oliveira’ effort went in vain as the teams had to settle for a point.
